We've already seen the TouchPad become a runaway success...only when it dropped to $99, causing an unexpected buying frenzy.

However, an unexpected surprise (either positive or negative, depending on how you talking to) appeared on several TouchPads when it was discovered they were running an Android 2.2 kernel. Very strange for a device that is only supposed to run webOS 3.0 -- at least officially out-of-the-box.

Phil Robb, director of HP's open source program office, has issued an official statement as to where HP will go next with this. Basically, it is going into P.I. mode:

As for the Touchpad units that have been allegedly purchased with a version of Android on them, we have begun an internal investigation on this within HP. We have confirmed that HP never authorized the distribution of any version of Android on the HP Touchpad. In addition, from a review of our manufacturing process, we believe that all Touchpad units have been shipped out of manufacturing with the webOS operating system only, and that no Touchpad units were shipped with Android, even by mistake. Hence, we presently believe that some person or persons unknown may have facilitated the delivery of these Android-based units strictly against the policy and authorization of HP.

For those of you in the development community actively working to port Android to the Touchpad, we applaud your efforts. HP has a strong commitment to your freedoms as a developer and technology enthusiast. It is your device and you can do with it what you want.